Did Tom Cruise's humbling before Oprah Winfrey improve his Oscar chances?
There something's weird about the timing of Tom Cruise groveling before Oprah Winfrey this past week. Why now? I think it's no coincidence that it comes just a month or so after the news that the release of his next big pic, "Valkyrie," got bumped from this fall to next spring — and therefore out of Oscars competition.
Sure, Tom Cruise appeared on Oprah's show to celebrate his 25th year in films. But if the powwow had been, say, two months ago, back when "Valkyrie" was still skedded to launch the next Oscar derby, I don't think we would've seen Tom so eagerly gobble up a dozen humble pies. He would've done damage control for his ole couch dance, yes, but in the past few days we've witnessed a surrender that has, I'm convinced, an underlying Oscar message.
In the past, Cruise was the kind of guy who never backed down, even daring to bully poor Matt Lauer on the "Today" show. But at Oprah's knee these past few days, he caved on every point. He admitted that he shouldn't have badgered Matt about kids taking psychiatric medication. Parents should make that decision for themselves, Tom now says. He shouldn't have attacked Brooke Shields either. He regrets that his Scientology videos were "taken out of context." Etc. Etc.
Just eight weeks ago "Valkyrie" was still skedded to launch Oscar derby season this fall and confident Cruise was poised to make another run for the gold he's lost three times ("Magnolia," "Jerry Maguire," "Born on the Fourth of July"). But I think Tom learned a scary lesson over the past two months and he saw it through Oscar's eyes.
At first glance, "Valkyrie" looks like pure Oscar bait. It's based upon a real, heroic person during wartime — even better, one with a handicap (that eye patch) — being the story of a Nazi officer who schemed to bump off Hitler. Seems like a perfect vehicle for a superstar ridiculously overdue for a chunk of academy gold, eh? (CLICK HERE - read MORE!) Early buzz within United Artists was that the actual film by wunderkind director Bryan Singer (who got an Oscar for Kevin Spacey in "The Usual Suspects"), was great, so it seemed like a no-brainer to sked its release at the start of the derby season.
But back in February there were early warning signs of trouble. At the end of the Razzies ceremony, "Valkyrie" was not only flagged as a film widely expected to be in the running next year, but the audience howled and cheered when a pic was shown of Tom Cruise donning that eye patch. (READ MORE)
A month later Roger Friedman took aim at "Valkyrie" with mocking derision at his FoxNews.com column. Then other bloggers piled on. UA execs continued to rah-rah for their film, but they had to concede the obvious. Legions of people want this movie to fail. What if it actually manages to earn back its $100-million production cost, but Tom doesn't get nommed for an Oscar? "Valkyrie" might still be pegged as a flop. At this point, considering Tom's bigger PR problems and the disastrous fate of "Lions for Lambs" last year, the studio where Cruise reigns as kingpin made the sensible decision to push it out of Oscar alley on the calendar.
Four weeks later Tom Cruise is on Oprah Winfrey's show and he's no longer that cocky "Risky Business" and "Top Gun" kid. Now he knows he's in trouble and facing what might be a real mission impossible: to win back the respect and awe of America and one of its small towns: Hollywood.
Someday he'll know that it's mission accomplished if he finally wins that Oscar. But, till then, at least he kept company this week with someone else who knows part of his pain.
Oprah, remember, lost her bid for best supporting actress for "The Color Purple" at the Oscars in 1985.
i THINK TOM CRUISE IS STILL THE BEST AND SEXIEST MAN ALIVE.....SO KIND AND CARING....HE LOVES LIFE AND NATURE...WE LOVE YOU TOM....LOVE YOUR MOVIES ...AND YOUR FAMILY.......THANK YOU FOR YOUR WONDERFUL CONTRIBUTATION OF MOVIES IN OUR LIVES....FOREVER...
YOUR FAN
Posted by: SHERRY FROEHLE | May 17, 2008 at 07:49 PM
Tom should be worrying more about all those thetans in his body or maybe that Lord Xenu is coming back to kill us all. Because Tom winning an Oscar? It will never happen.
Posted by: Holly | May 08, 2008 at 07:13 AM
Steve, I hope Mr Cruise is succesful, too.
But, do you really think that someone who has observed Mr Cruise to be the victim of cult-induced delusions must necessarily be a person who finds "something wrong with everybody"?
Did you notice I was talking about Mr Cruise, specifically and not 'everybody'. Did you note you were generalising?
Please note that scientology debating techniques don't work in the real world.
Look up "Lisa Mcpherson", Mr Cruise should have helped her and her family.
Posted by: a | May 08, 2008 at 12:39 AM
Who would of thought Tom Cruise, once a sure-shot money making sex-symbol, would quickly turn into a over the hill and over the top "sick-symol"?
His appeal no longer makes me have goosebumps.
Posted by: orlietta | May 07, 2008 at 05:53 PM
i wonder why all those that know tom cruise in person say so nice things about him, while those not knowing him are so spiteful to him.
they say "great", "inspiring", "full of energy", when you say "i can't respect him".
dude, don't! i don't think he needs your respect.
Posted by: wonder | May 07, 2008 at 02:45 PM
honestly. 2 days with Cruise.
On day with incredibly interesting Walters.
whatever.
Posted by: gypsyj | May 06, 2008 at 10:42 PM
Tom is one lucky dude. But there are actors who should never speak up in public about anything. Use Cruise as an example. He's all jargon and no substance. That's what Scientology is all about. Ever wonder why you never hear Brad Pitt talk without a script?
And then there are actors who make intelligent choices about what to say in public, off camera, off screen...in the real world. Depp is one. Clooney another.
Actors are actors, just like anyone else. Some make good off screen personalities. Most should just shut up.
Posted by: phenom | May 06, 2008 at 09:57 PM
I hope Tom Cruise all the best! I love his movies!
Posted by: Grant | May 06, 2008 at 06:48 PM
Eeeewwww Mr. Cruise, and shame on you Oprah for giving him a PR forum. (AND its Tommy boy's 27th year in films, not his 25th!- revisionist history at its finest). The only way he can regain ANY respect from me is if he comes clean about the abusive and nasty practices of the cult of scientology. Some celebrities REALLY do think they are better than all the rest of jerks don't they?
Posted by: shanon | May 06, 2008 at 10:36 AM
NO ONE is ENTITLED to an Oscar (or any other award), so ENOUGH of pimping for Tom McCrazy already! He had NO shot at an Oscar for this ridiculous role anyway, and at this point, it's a wonder if this apparent mistake of a movie will ever be released!
Posted by: Ken Bendor | May 06, 2008 at 10:30 AM
See www.tomcruise.com out today. The opening video and trailers of all of his films are proof of his body of work. And why he's one been of the top actors of our time. All of this other BS from a few bizarre dressing zealots is standard gossip.
Posted by: Steve | May 06, 2008 at 09:25 AM
Pity Curise, who can heal things, can't heal LIONS FOR LAMBS.
Posted by: M.T. Fisher | May 06, 2008 at 06:02 AM
Tom Cruise has lost all of my respect. He can never get it back. I can say with complete honesty that I will NEVER pay money to see one of his films.
Posted by: Layla | May 06, 2008 at 01:35 AM
"He regrets that his Scientology videos were "taken out of context." Etc. Etc."
Well, the original uncut videos with Tom Cruise are creepier. Every one should see it to understand what Scientology does to people.
Posted by: balto | May 06, 2008 at 01:17 AM
Can you do away with your Cruise is overdue for Oscar rant. Yes he has been nominated three times like many multiple nominees, but he exactly hasn't been a risk-taker (with a one or two exceptions) and quality of his roles hasn't been that outstanding. Whereas, Johnny Depp has built a great resume of both nominated and non-nominated performances and deserves an Oscar before Cruise. Add Ed Harris to the list as well. Also, I doubt Oprah cares about her or Cruise's Oscar loses. Posts about Cruise winning an Oscar are quite pointless, atleast at this moment.
Posted by: dw | May 05, 2008 at 11:10 PM
I hope Cruise is incredibly successful. It's the only thing that keeps non-productive, "find something wrong with everybody" dweebs like you in business.
Posted by: Steve | May 05, 2008 at 10:24 PM
Mr Cruise claimed to save lives with scientology magic in the 911 aftermath. Did he use his magic to see 911 coming? Where's his apology for that? Don't forget to warn us next time, Mr Cruise.
Don't forget car crashes. He still says he is the only one who can help - not like those non-scientologist rescue workers, firefighters, ambulance officers, doctors, police, social workers etc, etc.
PS. Mr Cruise, did you forget to save the life of your friend Lisa McPherson? Don't know who she is? Look her up.
Posted by: a | May 05, 2008 at 07:57 PM